Use Homies list then for specifics.

An unbalanced prospect pool dilutes the value of the players to potential teams as they know they will not pan out in the Sabres organization.

Years of losing and drafting top of the draft to hold those prospects for years and maybe see an impact for the organization 5 or more years down the line.
- washedup20

There's more to it though.

If you have a young kid in the cap era that isn't good enough for your team, then you're already trading a depreciated asset. Has little to do with the league 'knowing' you need to trade the kid. You don't even need to trade him.

Let's pretend this happens to Zach Benson.

You have the 13th pick, and that's worth a player like Alex Debrincat last year, plus a few extra picks.

Then you have Zach Benson, who is probably worth Alex Debrincat 1 for 1 now.

Let's say in a few years his development stagnates or declines like Laaksonen. Now you have a guy who becomes a sweetener for Alex Debrincat, but you'll need to add a 1st, maybe a 2nd.

Year or two later, you've got a tweener forward, won't get qualified. Now he's worth close to nothing.

It's all based on projection. Their job is to identify that projection, character and work ethic in these kids before they're drafted.

In an effort not to let the wrong one walk, like Hagel again, shouldn't he hold as long as he can? I mean no decision needs to happen this year, so he should basically just be shopping for a great deal right now, no?
- QuinnFan

When the tear down post Eichel was happening, collecting futures was the right move and Adams did pretty well at that.

Last season the holes were obvious and ignored, while continuing to add to the depth of similar style prospects.

This offseason is the same approach, and now the prospect pool is bloated with the same holes in the NHL roster, going into next year with the same group.

The option could be for this years NHL players to continue to develop if not move them and give the new wave of prospects a try only prolonging the development period for the team, would fans be ok with that?

I mean …. If every gm in the nhl and professional sports had a crystal ball for that. It would make life easier.

Every team has misses. It happens.
- Sabretooth9

That's true, but with so many good prospects and so few spots to become open...that chance is a little higher with us, no? I worry about guys like Richard, Saardarian, Neuchev or Poltapov, who have showed a lot of promise, but are just behind the "big dogs". Any of those 4 could become an impact NHLer IMO.

Think it's an excellent question. Rosen might be first. If he can't crack the lineup a year from now, his value would take a big hit.

May already be running into it with UPL.
- Lunaion

Part of their job is to project that possibility and trade him before that 'hit' comes. These types of players show up in trades like Erik Karlsson and Timo Meier.

Use Homies list then for specifics.

An unbalanced prospect pool dilutes the value of the players to potential teams as they know they will not pan out in the Sabres organization.

Years of losing and drafting top of the draft to hold those prospects for years and maybe see an impact for the organization 5 or more years down the line.
- washedup20

Source? That is completely absurd.

When the tear down post Eichel was happening, collecting futures was the right move and Adams did pretty well at that.

Last season the holes were obvious and ignored, while continuing to add to the depth of similar style prospects.

This offseason is the same approach, and now the prospect pool is bloated with the same holes in the NHL roster, going into next year with the same group.

The option could be for this years NHL players to continue to develop if not move them and give the new wave of prospects a try only prolonging the development period for the team, would fans be ok with that?
- washedup20

What holes do you specifically identify?

What is the value of a prospect that can't crack the NHL roster (of a non playoff team) after X years but is deemed ready?
- washedup20

Which one of the kids does this apply to? I would consider any of the former 1st rounders as "not cracking the lineup". Just too young still, especially given our strong forward group right now.

That's true, but with so many good prospects and so few spots to become open...that chance is a little higher with us, no? I worry about guys like Richard, Saardarian, Neuchev or Poltapov, who have showed a lot of promise, but are just behind the "big dogs". Any of those 4 could become an impact NHLer IMO.
- QuinnFan

The flip side of this is that - if the NHL roster is stacked - the secondary prospects get a lot of time to shine in the minors. That's how good organizations like Tampa set themselves up. Just look at the Orioles for a perfect current comparison.

There's more to it though.

If you have a young kid in the cap era that isn't good enough for your team, then you're already trading a depreciated asset. Has little to do with the league 'knowing' you need to trade the kid. You don't even need to trade him.

Let's pretend this happens to Zach Benson.

You have the 13th pick, and that's worth a player like Alex Debrincat last year, plus a few extra picks.

Then you have Zach Benson, who is probably worth Alex Debrincat 1 for 1 now.

Let's say in a few years his development stagnates or declines like Laaksonen. Now you have a guy who becomes a sweetener for Alex Debrincat, but you'll need to add a 1st, maybe a 2nd.

Year or two later, you've got a tweener forward, won't get qualified. Now he's worth close to nothing.

It's all based on projection. Their job is to identify that projection, character and work ethic in these kids before they're drafted.
- TheSabresTaco

I can agree with this, Benson is considered the Sabres top prospect already...so the values of all the prospect before him have already fallen.

I can agree with this, Benson is considered the Sabres top prospect already...so the values of all the prospect before him have already fallen.
- washedup20

(laughing) so let me get this straight. By your logic, every team has a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc prospects and they all have the same value. So Kulich somehow lost value because Benson was drafted? That is just mind-blowingly stupid.

https://isport.blesk.cz/c...any-sanci-cekal-driv.html

Reed.

Part of their job is to project that possibility and trade him before that 'hit' comes. These types of players show up in trades like Erik Karlsson and Timo Meier.
- TheSabresTaco

Think it's possible that part of his inability to make trades is that some of his prospects have already declined in value.

https://isport.blesk.cz/c...any-sanci-cekal-driv.html

Reed.
- TheSabresTaco

I remember last year he said that he expected to be in the NHL immediately and we all thought "awe, that's cute". It turns out that he really meant it.

I can agree with this, Benson is considered the Sabres top prospect already...so the values of all the prospect before him have already fallen.
- washedup20

That stroke is much too broad. imo, any prospect who is on a positive development curve has more value today than the second they were drafted at their position.

Constantini is a guy I can think of who had a down year and then decided to transfer. Most of our guys, especially the ones drafted in the top half in their respective rounds, have been positively building on their initial draft position.

The flip side of this is that - if the NHL roster is stacked - the secondary prospects get a lot of time to shine in the minors. That's how good organizations like Tampa set themselves up. Just look at the Orioles for a perfect current comparison.
- Slump Buster

That's kind of what I'm hoping for. Let's find out if Kisakov can bulk up, if Neuchev's game translates...not to pick on the Russians, but stuff like that. I think that would be a great model.

What holes do you specifically identify?
- TheSabresTaco

Goaltending - the moves made are not sufficient...still

Defense - overpaid for lower half (which was needed, and a result of bad ownership) still need upgrades though and better depth

PK - ignored

Grit - ignored

Leadership - Johnson is not enough

https://isport.blesk.cz/c...any-sanci-cekal-driv.html

Reed.
- TheSabresTaco

I can't

This is what got Darcy in trouble….

Was so afraid to lose a trade because you might trade away a good prospect.
- ImThatGuy

Darcy was an extreme though, where he wouldn't trade one of his picks for the 2nd coming if he could help it.

There has to be some middle ground here. Hagel is our only massive miss recently, but I don't want more. The whole point of building through the draft is being patient.

Goaltending - the moves made are not sufficient...still

Defense - overpaid for lower half (which was needed, and a result of bad ownership) still need upgrades though and better depth

PK - ignored

Grit - ignored

Leadership - Johnson is not enough
- washedup20

PK- Brought in a solid PK'er in Clifton. Could of used an Accari for the forwards.

Grit - Both Clifton and Johnson have grit.

Leadership - Okposo, Johnson, Dahlin, Tuch, Skinner

Whether you like the signings or not they addressed all areas you speak of except goalie.

Goaltending - the moves made are not sufficient...still

Defense - overpaid for lower half (which was needed, and a result of bad ownership) still need upgrades though and better depth

PK - ignored

Grit - ignored

Leadership - Johnson is not enough
- washedup20

Goaltending: offseason not finished, you don't know how this all plays out

PK - was better at the end of last year with emergence of Mitts and Greenway

Leadership: we now have numerous vets. We need more

Grit: what years is this?

Defense. Overpaid? You're just looking for things to criticize Johnson for one year isn't a big deal.

That stroke is much too broad. imo, any prospect who is on a positive development curve has more value today than the second they were drafted at their position.

Constantini is a guy I can think of who had a down year and then decided to transfer. Most of our guys, especially the ones drafted in the top half in their respective rounds, have been positively building on their initial draft position.
- TheSabresTaco

Would Savoie alone been enough to move up to 9th overall in this past draft?

Would Savoie alone been enough to move up to 9th overall in this past draft?
- washedup20

Not even close. Prospects are like new cars, most of them lose value their first year.

Goaltending - the moves made are not sufficient...still

Defense - overpaid for lower half (which was needed, and a result of bad ownership) still need upgrades though and better depth

PK - ignored

Grit - ignored

Leadership - Johnson is not enough
- washedup20

Lol still on grit thing. We don’t need that 😂😂😂

The defense price we paid was fine

I think you are overreacting

Would Savoie alone been enough to move up to 9th overall in this past draft?
- washedup20

yes

Would Savoie alone been enough to move up to 9th overall in this past draft?
- washedup20

Why does everyone want to trade savoie

Come on now 😂